Kelly McDonough testified on Day 5 about Clancy's emergency treatment, distinguishing superficial lacerations and head imaging without identified injury from serious spinal injuries. Cross-examination tested her recollection and the limits of neurological assessment after rapid intubation; redirect clarified the basis for her wound descriptions.
WitnessSouth Shore Hospital
Kelly McDonough
Emergency medicine physician at South Shore Hospital.
Appeared2026 Criminal Trial
205 lines·4 proceedings·4 mentions
About
Kelly McDonough testified for the Commonwealth on Day 5 about treating Lindsay Clancy at South Shore Hospital on January 24, 2023. The emergency physician distinguished superficial neck and wrist lacerations and head imaging without identified injury from thoracic spinal injuries that prompted transfer for more advanced care. She acknowledged that she had not examined the wrist wound in detail.
McDonough described Clancy arriving breathing on her own and being intubated for airway protection. She discussed testing, warming treatment for hypothermia, and stabilization before transfer to Brigham and Women's Hospital after approximately four hours in the emergency department. She did not know the cause of the hypothermia. During direct examination, the court admitted medical records as Exhibit 138 and certified imaging records as Exhibit 139.
On cross-examination, McDonough recalled open eyes, no verbal response, and a response to pain. She said rapid intubation limited subsequent neurological assessment and answered that Clancy did not regain consciousness in the emergency department. Kevin Reddington challenged her preparation and recall; she said she had reviewed her records but needed them for several details. She explained possible metabolic effects of severe hypothermia while accepting counsel's proposed temperature only conditionally on the medical record. She rejected describing the wrist lacerations as deep and did not confirm several suggested injuries or events after transfer.
On redirect, McDonough explained that she called the lacerations superficial because she had not visualized active bleeding, muscle tissue, or tendon injury. After reviewing her notes, she said the pupil findings indicated no obvious head injury or brain herniation. She could not confirm sedation because she had not performed the intubation, and her answer about cerebrospinal fluid was limited to the absence of a mention in her physical examination. She described her emergency role as assessment, stabilization, and arranging further care.
Trial Record (4)
No proceedings match this filter.